Concentration and Centralisation of Competitiveness : A Case Study of the Global Trade of Agriculture-Food System
Keywords:
Concentration, Centralisation, Competitiveness, Global Trade, Agriculture-Food SystemAbstract
Competitiveness is a key of global economy and economic integration. Some people note that competitiveness can be understood and promoted by international trades and comparative advantages. However, this article argues that competitiveness can be vividly examined as a concentration and centralisation of capitals in term of Marxian economics. The competitiveness has created monopolisation of global economy through key actors that are transnational corporations (TNCs), rather than national interests. Moreover, the monopolisation has been enhanced by multilateral agreements. To apply Marxian political economy and practice, a case study of the global trade of agriculture-food system is elucidated to show the process of concentration and centralisation of global economy. The competitiveness has created new form of food regime as “corporate food regime” that has agri-food TNCs as a key actor. Concentration of TNCs power is constituted by the giant corporates-state relations, multilateral agreement, and neoliberal hegemonic idea of indicator of competitiveness.
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